Singer-songwriter Ray LaMontagne decided to cancel a show that he was scheduled to do at the University of Texas to show his disappointment in their recent gun law. Texas is one of the 8 states that allow its residents to carry concealed weapons with a handgun license. This law has now expanded to their university campuses and people have differing opinions on it. LaMontagne shared his opinion on his social media accounts by canceling his performance completely. This cancellation could have taken place as a response to fear as well.
Celebrities are constantly in the spot light of thousands of fans every day and some of those fans are not the good kind. Earlier this year, singer Christina Grimmie lost her life after being shot by a crazed fan at a post-show meet and greet. Grimmie had opened for a band in Florida and the shooter purchased his gun with a license. The gun law debate is an ongoing subject in the country due to various outbursts of attacks with guns so it’s understandable for a public figure to disagree with having guns at a show. The law took effect on the 50th anniversary of a 1966 mass shooting at UT-Austin that left 14 dead. So far, one incident has been reported since the law passed which was, an accidental shooting at Tarleton State University in a co-ed dorm, in which no one was injured.
Conceal carry has been allowed in public in Texas for more than 20 years. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed the law regarding carrying of weapons on University grounds in June 2015, because it would make campuses safer and expand the Second Amendment rights of licensed handgun owners. This sounds ironic to many people that are in disagreement because school shootings occur because of weapons on school and college campuses. If many students have weapons on them every day, it will be extremely difficult to differentiate between potential attackers and students bringing guns for safety purposes. LaMontagne is receiving criticism for canceling the college gig, meanwhile, he performed two times in Texas prior. He did not respond to the hate comments and refuses to back down from his decision.
